Use of brinzolamide to prevent visual field loss

ABSTRACT

Methods for preventing or slowing visual field loss are disclosed.

This application claims the benefit of Provisional application Ser. No. 60/068,767, filed Dec. 23, 1997.

The present invention is directed to the topical use of brinzolamide to prevent visual field loss.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While not the sole risk factor, elevated intraocular pressure is the major risk factor for the development of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. The relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma is such that the risk of having or developing glaucomatous optic neuropathy, or suffering progressive damage while receiving medical therapy or following surgical treatment is directly related to the level of intraocular pressure. See, Crick, et al., Glaucoma, 7:208-219 (1995); Sommer, American Journal of Ophthalmology, Vol. 7, No. 2 (February, 1989); and Mao, et al., American Journal of Ophthalmology, Vol. 111, No. 1 (January, 1991). Additionally, a correlation exists between asymmetric damage and asymmetric IOP, Crichton, et al., Ophthalmology, Vol. 96, No. 9, (September, 1989), with the greater amount of damage observed in the eye with the higher IOP. Epidemiological surveys, such as the Baltimore Eye Survey, the Rotterdam Study, and the Barbados Eye Study have also demonstrated an increased prevalence of primary open-angle glaucoma associated with increasing IOP.

Wegner et al. (Societe Ophtalmologique Europeenne, 1997) assessed the effect of dorzolamide (a 2% topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) on the visual fields of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) following one year of treatment. Visual fields were assessed using Octopus perimetry. Of the 49 patients, 39 required adjunctive IOP-lowering therapy, while only 10 were treated with dorzolamide alone.

The patients treated with dorzolaride alone had an improvement in their visual fields as determined by a decrease in the Octopus Mean Defect from 9.36 dB to 8.26 dB, and an increase in the Mean Sensitivity from 17.72 dB to 18.77 dB. The 39 patients treated with dorzolamide plus adjunctive therapy also exhibited an improvement in their visual fields as seen by a decrease in the Mean Defect from 8.07 dB to 7.52 dB, and an increase in Mean Sensitivity from 18.51 dB to 18.96 dB. Changes were reported to be significant (p<0.01).

Brinzolamide is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,240,923 and 5,378,703 for its usefulness in controlling intraocular pressure, particularly in the treatment of glaucoma. These patents are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to the topical use of brinzolamide formulations to prevent or slow visual field loss in persons suffering from ocular hypertension or glaucoma.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

MD (mean deviation) and CPSD (corrected pattern standard deviation) are global indices provided by the Humphrey Field Analyzer statistical package. CPSD is a measure of how much the total shape of the patient's visual field deviates from that of the age-matched, normative reference field. If the sensitivity gradient is irregular (as occurs in a scotoma due to glaucoma), a higher CPSD will be recorded. Values for CPSD are positive, and approximate zero in a normal visual field. MD is a measure of the average elevation or depression of the patient's overall field compared to the normal reference field. Values for MD are approximately zero in a normal field and can be either positive or negative. Positive values for MD indicate that the patient's overall field is better than that of the normal age-corrected reference field, while negative values indicate that the patient's overall field is worse than that of the normal age-corrected reference field.

Glaucoma is believed to result in areas of localized loss rather than diffuse loss of sensitivity of the visual field. Since MD is unable to differentiate between a deep localized loss (scotoma due to glaucoma) or diffuse widespread loss (resulting from a small pupil size, uncorrected refractive error, development of cataract, etc.), CPSD is more relevant and useful in detecting and tracking early to moderate glaucomatous visual field loss. Once field loss has reached a significant level of severity (CPSD>10 dB and MD<−25 dB) analysis of the CPSD is no longer useful since with increased severity of loss, the localized nature of the loss is diminished.

The Eye Care Technology Forum has specifically recommended that for studies of glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT), analysis procedures be based on localized changes, such as are indicated by the CPSD. See, Johnson, Ophthalmology, Vol. 103, No. 1 (January, 1996).

It has been surprisingly found that brinzolamide, (R-(+)-4-ethylamino-3,4-dihydro-2-(3-methoxy)propyl-2H-thieno[3,2,e]1,2-thiazine-6-sulfonamide-1,1-dioxide), is equally effective as timolol in maintaining the visual field in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The results are surprising in view of the superior IOP lowering efficacy of the beta-blocker, timolol, versus brinzolamide and the relationship between elevated IOP and glaucoma previously discussed. (Brinzolamide reduces elevated IOP from 15-19% while timolol reduces elevated IOP from 22-26%.)

The following represents a summary of the visual field data observed in a long-term study comparing the efficacy of BID- and TID-dosing with brinzolamide versus BID-dosing with timolol.

Data were analyzed as a function of patients diagnosed with POAG or OHT, as well as only those with POAG (since, by definition those diagnosed as OHT at the onset of the study, did not exhibit glaucomatous field loss). In addition, patients were sub-classified as to those who received only study medication throughout the 12 month period and those who required adjunctive therapy with another ocular 5 hypotensive agent (miotic, alpha-agonist, sympathomimetic, prostaglandin, etc.). The following shorthand notations are used in the data presentation: Brinzolamide (BZ); Timolol (TIM); delta MD=month 12 MD-month 0 MD; delta CPSD=month 12 CPSD-month 0 CPSD.

Patients diagnosed with POAG (n = 144) or OHT (n = 81) study medication with or without study medication only adjunctive therapy Parameter BZ BID BZ TID TIM BID BZ BID BZ TID TIM BID delta MD −0.38dB −0.78dB −0.30dB −0.28dB −0.85dB −0.30dB p value 0.0745 0.0003 0.3033 0.2006 0.0002 0.3195 BZ BID = BID TIM p = 0.8299 BZ BID = BID TIM p = 0.9513 BZ TID = BID TIM p = 0.1892 BZ TID = BID TIM p = 0.1466 delta −0.03dB +0.21dB −0.16dB +0.09dB +0.27dB −0.07dB CPSD p value 0.8795 0.2607 0.5300 0.6262 0.1639 0.7819 BZ BID = BID TIM p = 0.6745 BZ BID = BID TIM p = 0.6108 BZ TID = BID TIM p = 0.2418 BZ TID = BID TIM p = 0.2946 N 84 83 44 91 87 47 Note: for the Humphrey perimeter, a negative value for the delta MD indicates worsening and a positive value for the delta MD indicates improvement; a negative value for the delta CPSD indicates improvement and a positive value for the delta CPSD indicates worsening

Results demonstrated that BID- or TID-dosing with brinzolamide was statistically and clinically similar in its effect on the visual field (as assessed by MD or CPSD) to BID-dosing with timolol.

Only those patients diagnosed with POAG (n = 144) study medication with or without study medication only adjunctive therapy Parameter BZ BID BZ TID TIM BID BZ BID BZ TID TIM BID delta MD −0.02dB −0.82dB −0.39dB −0.13dB −0.92dB −0.38dB p value 0.9420 0.0051 0.3384 0.6601 0.0023 0.3627 BZ BID = BID TIM p = 0.4099 BZ BID = BID TIM p = 0.3187 BZ TID = BID TIM p = 0.3844 BZ TID = BID TIM p = 0.2869 delta −0.02dB +0.30dB −0.18dB +0.17dB +0.38dB −0.03dB CPSD p value 0.9428 0.2338 0.6096 0.5082 0.1398 0.9232 BZ BID = BID TIM p = 0.7072 BZ BID = BID TIM p = 0.6483 BZ TID = BID TIM p = 0.2683 BZ TID = BID TIM p = 0.3460 N 52 51 26 59 56 29 Note: for the Humphrey perimeter, a negative value for the delta MD indicates worsening and a positive value for the delta MD indicates improvement; a negative value for the delta CPSD indicates improvement and a positive value for the delta CPSD indicates worsening.

Results demonstrated that BID- or TID-dosing with brinzolamide was statistically and clinically similar in its effect on the visual field (as assessed by MD or CPSD) to BID-dosing with timolol.

Brinzolamide is preferably formulated as a topical ophthalmic suspension with a pH of 4.5-7.8. It will normally be contained in the formulation at a concentration of 0.1%-10% by weight, preferably 0.25%-5.0% by weight. Thus, for topical presentation, one to three drops of these formulations would be delivered to the surface of the eye one to four times a day according to the routine discretion of a skilled clinician.

The following formulation is useful for preventing the visual field loss associated with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

EXAMPLE

Ingredient Percent w/v Brinzolamide 1.0 Mannitol 3.3 Carbopol 974P 0.4 Tyloxapol 0.025 Disodium EDTA 0.01 Benzalkonium Chloride 0.01 + 5% excess Sodium Chloride 0.25 Sodium Hydroxide/Hydrochloric Acid pH 7.5 Purified Water QS 100 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of preventing or slowing visual field loss associated with glaucoma or ocular hypertension which comprises administering topically to the eye a pharmaceutically effective amount of brinzolamide.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the brinzolamide is administered as a suspension.
 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the brinzolamide concentration is from 0.1 to 10.0 percent by weight.
 4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the concentration is from 0.25 to 5.0 percent by weight. 